Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-03-10

Iuhc tHut pcb una DUDST anu WFtte us A
dictate"
am satisfied that the above statement is base
calumny against the characters of Ringwood
Clinch, Robert Rawlins and John Hale, pas
sengers and that do hereby apologize TO the
same Sign it. That'll do. Now let the rest
of your party sign as witnesses"
They complied without hesitation; some,
seizing the opportunity of treating the affair
as joke, suggested a drink
excuse me-" said Clinch quietly, "but ez
this house amt big enough for me and that
man, and ez I've got business at Wild Cat
Station with this paper, think I'll go with
out drinkin'" He took the keys from his
pocket, unlocked the doors, and taking up his
overcoat and rife turned as if to go.
Rawlins rose to follow him. Hale alone
hesitated. The rapid occurrences of the last
half hour gave him no time for reflection.
But he was by no means satisfied of the le-
gality of the last act he had aided and allotted,
although he admitted its rude justice, and
felt he would have done so again. A fear of
this, and an instinct that he might be led into
further complications If he continued to iden-
tify himself with Clinch and Rawlins; the fact
that they had professedly abandoned their
quest, and that it was really supplanted by
the presence of an authorized party whom
they had already come in conflict with-all
this urged him to remain behind. On the
ether hand, the apparent desertion of his
comrades at the last moment was opposed
both to his sense of honor and the liking he
had taken to them. But he reflected that he
had already shown his active partsanstip,
that he could be of little service to them at
Wild Cat Station, and would be only increas-
ing the distance from his home; and above
all, an impatient longing for Independent
action finally decided him. II think will
stay here" he said to Clinch, sunless you
want men
Clinch cast a swift and meaning glance at
the enemy, but looked approval keep
your eyes skinned, and you're good for a
dozen of 'em," he said, soto voce, and then
turned to Stanner. "rm going TO take this
paper to Wild Cat If you want to commu-
nicate with me hereafter you know where I
am to be found, unless"-he smiled grimly-
you'd like to see me outside for few min
utes before go?'
at is a matter that concerns the stage
company, not me" said Stanner, with an at
tempt to appear at his ease.
Hale accompanied Clinch and Rawlins
through the kitchen to the stables. The ost-
of the snow bound coach.
81 shouldn't like to leave many men alone
with that crowd" said Clinch, pressing Hale's
hand; "and l wouldn't have allowed your
staying behind eff / didn't know l could bet
my pile on you. Your offerin' to stay just
puts clean finish on it. Look yer, Hale,
didn't cotton much to you at first; but eff you
ever want friend, call on Ringwood Clinch."
"The same here, old man, said Rawlins,
extending his hand as he appeared from a
hurried conference with the old woman at
the woodshed, "and trust to Zeenie to give
you hint eff there's anythin underhanded
goin' on. So long"
Half inclined TO resent this implied sugges
ton of protection, yet half pleased at the idea
Of a confidence with the handsome girl he
had seen, Hale returned TO the room. A
whispered discussion among the party ceased
on his entering, and an awkward silence fol
lowed, which Hale did not attempt to break
as he quietly took his seat again by the fire
He was presently confronted by Stanner,
who, with an affectation Of easy familiarity,
crossed over to the hearth.
"The old kernels id peppery and high
toned when he's got little more than his
regular three fingers O. corn juice, chs"
Il must beg you to understand distinctly,
Mr.. Stanner," said Hale, with return of
his habitual precision of statement, shat
regard any sighting allusion to the gentle
man who has just left not only as in exceed
ingly bad taste coming from you, but very
offensive to myself. If you mean to imply
that he was under the influence of liquor, it
is my duty TO undeceive you; he was so per-
fectly in possession of his faculties as to ex-
press not only his own but my opinion Of
your conduct. You must also admit that he
was discriminating enough to show his OBJ
lection to your company by leavingit. Ire.
greet that circumstances do not make it con-
venient for me to exercise that privilege;
but if / am obliged to put up with your
presence in this room, ! strongly insist that
it is not made uncomfortable with the addition
of your conversation
The effect Of this deliberate and passion
less declaration was more discomposing to
the party than Clinch's fury. Utterly unac-
customed to the ideas and language suddenly
confronting them, they were unable to deter
mine whether it was the real expression of
the speaker, or whether it was vague badi-
mage % affectation to which any reply would
involve them in ridicule. In country ter
rorized by practical joking they did not
doubt but that this was new form Of hoax